JD was so preoccupied he hadn't realized how hard he was riding Milagro until Milagro slowed down, looking back at his owner reproachfully. JD, conscience-stricken was relieved he had an apple and a few sugar cubes in his saddle bags. He got down immediately, leading Milagro to a nearby spring and patted his horse and said, "Sorry, boy. Wasn't paying attention, like Buck always says." He laughed self-deprecatingly and began to use a spare sock and the water to rub Milagro down. Milagro snorted, and then knocked his master into the spring. JD eyed Milagro's big eyes and began to laugh. "Okay, boy. Even?" Milagro snorted again and began to eat the grass.
JD looked around and began to climb a large hill and sat on the top of a rock at the top. He threw a few stones into the spring and then sat back against a large tree and tore some grass into shreds. The wind was a bit chilly, especially as JD was wet from the spring, but JD didn't seem to notice. "I can't go through this again," he said softly to himself. "I can't." JD was tired from his usual bout of insomnia he suffered through when he couldn't get his mind to shut down. Nathan was not overly fond of sleeping pills, and JD hadn't confided in him how bad this last bout was.
JD's older brothers, except for Ezra, were constantly acting like they were too tough to let anything bother them so JD was nervous of bringing up his sleeping problems.
Buck had become overprotective of his baby brother, scolding and nagging JD about his eating habits when JD also suffered from a lack of appetite that came and went, so JD felt like he was being treated as an inexperienced colt that had to be watched closely. He knew being a teenager, smaller, and more boyish-looking than the others, his brothers felt it was their duty to watch him closely.
Vin, standoffish at first had let them know very bluntly that he had been alone for years and quite capable of taking care of himself. Vin, in his mid-twenties, had a handsome face that showed he had lived a much harder life. Out of respect for Chris, he listened to Chris' instruction and insights about running the ranch, but was no more likely than the other brothers to take Nathan's advice.
JD liked Vin, but on more than one occasion had heard Vin admonished to "watch out for the kid". And though Vin was more quiet and subtle, JD could tell Vin did watch him. JD knew his sheltered upbringing back east contributed greatly to his older brothers watching out for him in this unfamiliar environment. He loved them for it, being unused to having family when earlier in his life, it was a few teachers, friends, and mainly his mother who took an interest in him. His studies and his mother's illness kept the cute teenager out of the social scene.
JD peeked down at Milagro, still moving lazily around and grazing. Though it was getting colder, the grass was still holding a little of the green. 'I'll just let him rest a bit and I will, too,' and with a large yawn, JD lay back against the tree and was soon deep in sleep, unaware of the temperature dropping.
TBC